Gary Sinise, the actor who portrayed Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump, made a surprise visit to the cadets on post at Virginia Military Institute Friday for Founder's Day celebrations. Sinise sat down with 10 News Anchor Rachel Lucas to talk about the visit and his charity work for veterans through the Gary Sinise Foundation.

Almost 3,000 Americans lost their lives on 9/11 and Southwest Virginia is doing everything it can to honor the people who tragically lost their lives.

Another Class of rats has started at VMI and is undergoing its new initiation and training exercises.

Matriculation Day at Virginia Military Institute was held Saturday, Aug. 17, beginning the Rat Line for the new academic year. An iconic moment for rats is getting their head shaved. It was the perfect opportunity for a Virginia native to donate his locks to a charity that makes free wigs for children in need.

Incoming VMI Cadets eager to get a head start in their military career are taking part in a summer transition program.

VMI recently named a new Director of Athletics, calling on a familiar name and face.

VMI welcomed a new service dog Monday that will help assist people to cope after a traumatic event or overly stressful environment.

Hollywood is mourning the loss of actor Dabney Coleman.

VMI cadets are joining more than 150 volunteers from all over the country and taking on another community project — this one has a lot of excitement building behind it.

Virginia Military Institute hosted the 7th annual Commonwealth Cyber Fusion and Virginia Cyber Cup Competition, a state-wide collegiate cyber security competition.

A Virginia Military Institute alum was identified Friday as one of five Marines killed during a helicopter crash in San Diego, California.

Nearly 500 freshmen, known on campus as “rats,” are testing their limits and learning what it takes to be called a VMI cadet.

For one student, the “VMI rat line tradition” spans five generations of students.

Virginia Military Institute’s first chief diversity officer, Jamica Love, resigned this week, according to the Washington Post.

Governor Glenn Youngkin said it was a full circle moment getting to address the VMI graduates after several of the cadets took part in his inauguration parade.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivered remarks at VMI’s commencement in Cameron Hall Tuesday morning at about 11 a.m.

Nine Alleghany Mountaineers put pen to paper on signing day Wednesday.

Former president Jimmy Carter visited Virginia Military Institute to accept an honorary award in 2001.

Virginia Military Institute students are giving back to local schools.

New multimillion dollar aquatic center opens at Virginia Military Institute

Even though the holiday season is behind us, 10 News learned about a Christmas miracle.

Former VMI Superintendent General J.H. Binford Peay III received the New Market Medal

Rachael Denhollander uses her story to advocate and educate about speaking up to tell someone's truth.

VMI stands out when it comes to how often officers drill and the tools in every police car.

Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III won all of the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors’ votes, and was chosen to be awarded the school’s highest honor, the New Market Medal, VMI said.

In 1997, 30 women from across the country came to VMI and became the first females to attend the school.

Scott Wachenheim made some coaching changes in the spring, promoting former wide receivers coach Patrick Ashford to offensive coordinator, and hiring Nick Reveiz as defensive coordinator. After a spring of learning, the Keydets have put their knowledge to the test. Utilizing full pads on the sixth day of camp, and showing what they know during live periods Saturday morning.

2022 marks 25 years of women at VMI. The next generation of cadets are following paths carved for them by the women who came before. Paths that guide them along a more defined road to the leaders they aim to become.

The program is voluntary and is offered to all first-year Virginia Military Institute students who have committed to attend.

A program held at the Virginia Military Institute is helping high school male minority students to go beyond their expectations: the Collegiate Orientation Workshop.

Tracy Matheson, founder of Project Beloved, is creating a space for sexual assault victims to feel safe when telling their stories.

Virginia Military Institute Cadet is marching for 18 hours to raise awareness for Veteran suicide prevention.

High School students learning cyber security training through a paid internship with VMI.

A lawsuit has been filed against the Virginia Military Institute and the VMI Board of Visitors, claiming that the military college has violated Governor Glenn Youngkin’s policies that prohibit divisive training.

Sophomore QB Seth Morgan is working at his craft this spring, with a big improvement on his agenda.

Virginia Military Institute’s superintendent said they are making progress with the changes they have made after a report highlighted accusations of institutional racism and sexism at the college.

The teams last played in 2011 at Foster Stadium.

The Virginia Military Institute will change its student-run honor court to make it more fair to cadets as part of a response to a state-ordered investigation into racism and sexism.

Virginia Military Institute cadets have been working hard in preparation for the inaugural parade to celebrate Virginia’s 74th Governor.

During his last days in office, Governor Ralph Northam is reflecting on the changes he has imposed at Virginia Military Institute.

Gov. Ralph Northam had a message for his alma mater, Virginia Military Institute, where he graduated in 1981.

The Bulldogs rushed for 363 yards as a team on their way to reclaiming the Silver Shako Trophy.

Huddle up! Here’s a look back at this weekend on the gridiron, with three key takeaways from the state’s football scene.

In a surprise ceremony, Virginia Military Institute cadets paid their respects to veterans and the children's charity Victory Junction they were raising money for by presenting the colors. “To have the color guard from VMI be here, It was so special,” Petty said.

Virginia Military Institute officially has a new superintendent- General Cedric Wins.

The groups responsible for building a more inclusive post at Virginia Military Institute presented their work in committee meetings Tuesday.

It's been a year of change for the Virginia Military Institute

Virginia Military Institute's first ever Chief Diversity Officer has a clear vision.

The Virginia Military Institute is in the progress of adopting new changes following its investigation on equity and inclusion on post.

After a year of investigations and historical changes at Virginia Military Institute, there are still former and current cadets coming forward with shocking claims.

Del. Dan Helmer plans to propose the legislation.

Following a scathing report detailing accusations of racism and sexism at Virginia Military Institute, leaders are already taking steps to address it.

What’s been months in the making is now complete.

A state-sanctioned report says the Virginia Military Institute has tolerated and failed to address institutional racism and sexism and must be held accountable for making changes.

The vice chair of Virginia's coordinating agency for higher education is resigning over the handling of the investigation into Virginia Military Institute.

This weekend hundreds of Cadets at Virginia Military Institute will graduate in person.

Virginia Military Institute is set to remove "Stonewall" Jackson's name from several buildings across campus in an effort to foster a more inclusive environment.

International college students feel the pressure to get a COVID-19 vaccine before they travel home for the summer. Some countries face lockdowns and vaccine supply may be limited.

In a new partnership, cadets learned seamanship firsthand on Smith Mountain Lake with volunteer firefighters and a naval instructor.

The 2020-21 Southern Conference Coach of the Year led the Keydets to the conference semifinals for the first time since 2003.

The search begins for Virginia Military Institute’s new superintendent.

For the first time in its 182 years, VMI chose a female cadet to hold the highest-ranking position a student can earn. Cadet Kasey Meredith was named Cadet First Captain and Regimental Commander. “She’s a superstar,” said Lara Chambers, the first female alumnus appointed to the VMI Board of Visitors. Chambers said that as a female cadet, she wanted to be treated the same as the men. In a statement to 10 News, she writes in part:“I want to congratulate Cadet Kasey Meredith on her historic achievement.

LEXINGTON, Va. – The Virginia Military Institute will no longer name expelled students during their middle of the night “drum out” ceremony. The over 100+ years old ritual involved waking up the entire corps of cadets to the sound of beating drums. Part of that ritual has been the naming of recently expelled cadets. Campus officials tell WSLS 10 News the ceremony is meant to remind students of the honor code they have agreed to follow. VMI would not tell us the last time a “drum out” ceremony was held – citing the privacy of cadet disciplinary matters.

LEXINGTON, Va. – The Virginia Military Institute has altered its ritual of expelling cadets by waking them up in the middle of the night to the sound of beating drums. The Washington Post reported Tuesday that the school is no longer announcing the expelled students’ names during the so-called “drum outs.” The practice involves waking up the entire corps of cadets. The difference was that the cadets were not identified as they would have been in the past. The Post reported in December that Black students were being disproportionately expelled and shamed by name in drum-out ceremonies. Bill Wyatt, a VMI spokesman, declined to confirm Tuesday’s ceremony to the newspaper.

According to a report conducted by an independent law firm, racial slurs have been a "common experience" among cadets at Virginia Military Institute.

Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young coaches from the bench in the second half of the Virginia Tech - Virginia Military Institute NCAA basketball game in Blacksburg Va. Thursday December 3 2020. Virginia Tech won the game 64-57. (AP Photo / MATT GENRTY, The Roanoke Times, Pool)ROANOKE, Va. – On Saturday, the ACC announced that Tuesday’s Virginia Tech-North Carolina matchup has been postponed following a positive test coming from the Hokies program. Virginia Tech hasn’t played since Feb. 6 when it defeated Miami. According to the Hokies’ schedule, as of now, their next game would be on Feb. 20 against the previously mentioned Seminoles.

Change is in the air at VMI: masks on cadets, a controversial statue removed and new leadership at the helm. Now interim superintendent Wins was once Cadet Wins. His decision to leave Maryland and come to VMI was based largely on the opportunity to play Division One basketball. I think that I was asked to come down and at least begin the implementation of the right change,” Wins said. That’s something he hopes to instill in cadets, leading by example at a school under the spotlight and creating change.

LEXINGTON, Va. – As coronavirus cases lead to new restrictions at VMI, there are allegations that COVID protocols are being completely ignored. Tighter restrictions went into effect Thursday at VMI after the military college reported more than 50 new COVID-19 cases. An annual tradition at VMI that happened on Saturday is drawing criticism about COVID protocols. 10 News was told dozens of cadets were pulled out of quarantine, given rapid tests and allowed to participate if they tested negative. VMI said those cadets were supposed to be separated from the rest of the group, with protocols encouraging 10-foot social distancing and wearing masks when not exercising.

Five staff members and 51 cadets have tested positive for COVID-19 and are now quarantining in a hotel off post. In an effort to minimize the spread, when cadets arrived this semester in late January, 17 were told to quarantine after testing positive in the parking lot. However, VMI Communications Director Bill Wyatt said the spread tends to happen in close-quarter barracks, so they are spreading people out as they disinfect. “We reduced the visitation the contact among the cadets and that seemed to help things,” Wyatt said. “So we kind of moved back to that.”While a vaccination plan is still underway, about a dozen medical staff members and 30 cadets who are trained as EMTs have received their doses of the vaccine.

1996: The Supreme Court of the United States orders the Virginia Military Institute to admit women or forgo state support. The board of the all-male military college would vote 8-7 in September 1996 to admit women. The school, which officially enrolled its first female cadets in August 1997, was the last U.S. military college to admit women. A spike in coronavirus cases among the Corps of Cadets has prompted Virginia Military Institute officials to put additional restrictions in place, according to a letter from the school’s interim superintendent. Our goal is to provide the Corps of Cadets with a VMI experience that is as normal as possible.

The interim superintendent for the Virginia Military Institute said he’s considering changes to its student-run justice system over concerns that it expels Black students at a disproportionately high rate. The Washington Post reported Friday that retired Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins is reviewing the system following the newspaper’s reporting and concerns voiced by a vocal group of prominent VMI graduates. Wins was appointed VMI’s first Black leader amid a state-ordered investigation into racism at the nation’s oldest state-supported military college. He told the Post that he’s considering a requirement that student juries must be unanimous before convicting a cadet. He’s also considering barring the student-run court from naming an expelled cadet during “drum-out” ceremonies to the entire 1,700-member corps.

LEXINGTON, VA. – Cadets are returning in waves to VMI for the spring semester and the Rockbridge County community is helping make sure they all are tested for COVID-19. Cadets will drive through a series of checkpoints to be swabbed and then hold in a parking lot for the results. If negative, they’re cleared to move back into barracks; however, if the test comes back positive they’re sent to a hotel to quarantine. As the VMI experience is set in closer-quarters than the typical college experience, VMI EMS Director Col. Jay Williams said this is a critical step. We felt it was smart to have one consistent process, one consistent procedure, that every cadet went through,” Williams said.

LEXINGTON, Va – For the first time in more than 100 years, the Commonwealth of Virginia did not observe Lee-Jackson Day. Despite it no longer being a state holiday, the Virginia Flaggers and the Stonewall Brigade of the Sons of Confederate Veterans still gathered in Lexington to celebrate the day. Virginia Military Institute removed its Stonewall Jackson statue and the cemetery formerly named for the Confederate general is now named Oak Grove. Friedman said it’s important that his community continue to have hard discussions about what will be best for the city moving forward. The same groups are expected to gather at the Stonewall Jackson statue on Saturday morning followed by a parade along Main Street.

Crews prepare to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson from the campus of the Virginia Military Institute on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, in Lexington, Va. (AP Photo/Sarah Rankin)LEXINGTON, Va. – The Virginia Military Institute removed a prominent statue of Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson on Monday, a project initiated this fall after allegations of systemic racism roiled the public college. But “VMI does not define itself by this statue and that is why this move is appropriate,” he added. VMI said the statue will be relocated to a nearby Civil War museum at a battlefield where dozens of VMI cadets were killed or wounded. But he said it would not remove the statue of Jackson, who owned enslaved people, or rethink the names of buildings honoring Confederate leaders. In 2015, VMI did away with requiring freshmen to salute the statue each time they passed it, Wyatt said.

The Stonewall Jackson statue being removed from its location on VMI's campus on Dec. 7, 2020. LEXINGTON, Va. – Virginia Military Institute starting the process of relocating its Stonewall Jackson Statue on Monday. “VMI does not define itself by this statue and that is why this move is appropriate. We are defined by our unique system of education and the quality and character of the graduates the Institute produces. Once all parts have arrived, crews will work to install the statue in the roundabout in front of the Virginia Museum of the Civil War.

Maj. Gen. Cedric Wins has started his tenure as VMI’s interim superintendent. Wins graduated from VMI in 1985 and recently retired after more than three decades of service in the Army. VMI will soon be investigated by the Commonwealth of Virginia for allegations of ongoing racism at the school. Wins’ predecessor, General J. H. Binford Peay III, resigned after 17 years when the allegations intensified in October. “You’re going out into a world that’s diverse.

LEXINGTON, Va. – Virginia Military Institute has named an interim superintendent after the former superintendent resigned amid allegations of “relentless racism” at the school. The school announced Friday that Retired Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins, a 34-year veteran and 1985 graduate of VMI, will serve as the interim superintendent. “The VMI Board of Visitors is pleased that Maj. Gen. Wins has agreed to lead the Institute during this critical time of transition,” said Boland. Wins will serve as interim superintendent until a permanent superintendent has been chosen, according to Bill Wyatt, director of communications and marketing for VMI. Wyatt says the Board of Visitors has appointed a Superintendent Search Committee that will work with a search firm to find candidates over the next several months.

LEXINGTON, Va – One of the nation’s top military institution’s Founder’s Day just so happens to coincide with Veterans Day. Despite the rainy weather, dozens of cadets came together to celebrate nearly two hundred years of tradition at Virginia Military Institute. On November 11, 1839, the first cadet took guard for the first time at Virginia Military Institute. “We had all 10 companies plus the band represented the officers of each company were here as well as five cadets from each company,” Wyatt said. VMI has certainly changed and faced challenges over the years, but cadets and faculty believe the institute is moving in the right direction.

LEXINGTON, VA. – On Friday, VMI announced the list of people who will pick the school’s next superintendent. And those in the Roanoke Valley may recognize one name on that list, Michael Hamlar. Michael Hamlar is a local businessman and civic leader in the Roanoke Valley. Hamlar is on the Board of Visitors and was selected to the 12 person search committee for the next superintendent. The search committee is hiring outside help and with the new superintendent expected by spring, Hamlar trusts the process.

LEXINGTON, Va. – Virginia Military Institute is removing a symbol of its history: the Stonewall Jackson monument on Post. You know, Stonewall Jackson or these other Confederate traditions that they continue to uphold” said Tucker. On the app, Bunton said that cadets have talked about protecting the statue at all costs and putting up a 24/7 guard. Though he said that there is a heritage at VMI and that Stonewall Jackson should not be viewed through a 21st century lens. “It’s much larger than the Jackson statue.

LEXINGTON, Va. – The superintendent of Virginia Military Institute has resigned after state officials ordered a probe into allegations of “relentless racism” at the school, detailed in a Washington Post story. General J. H. Binford Peay III announced his resignation on Monday after 17 years at Virginia Military Institute. It has been the honor of my life to be the Superintendent of VMI for over seventeen years. I always have and always will love the Institute, all of our cadets, alumni and the entire VMI family. Below is the full statement from Boland:"Today, our Superintendent tendered his resignation to the Board of Visitors.

LEXINGTON, Va. – Virginia Military Institute alumna Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy said she is disappointed by the allegations of racism at VMI. Carroll Foy said racism is a problem across the country, but added that VMI needs to acknowledge the problem at the institute. In order to change, you have to admit that there’s a problem," said Carroll Foy. “Racism, discrimination, sexism, bigotry has no place in the ranks of VMI." Carroll Foy, who’s running for Virginia’s governor, also laid out a seven-part plan for improvements she’d like VMI to make.

LEXINGTON, Va. – State officials have ordered an outside investigation into the Virginia Military Institute following a report in The Washington Post that described Black cadets and alumni facing “relentless racism.”Gov. Ralph Northam co-wrote a letter Monday with other state officials and lawmakers to the state-supported school’s Board of Visitors expressing “deep concerns about the clear and appalling culture of ongoing structural racism” at VMI. The letter said the state will fund an independent probe into the school’s culture, policies, practices and equity in disciplinary procedures, the Post reported. The story described incidents such as lynching threats and a white professor reminiscing in class about her father’s Ku Klux Klan membership. In addition to Northam, who is a VMI graduate, co-signers of the Monday letter included Lt. Gov.

LEXINGTON, Va. – Like many colleges and universities across our area, Virginia Military Institute is focusing on keeping the campus and greater community safe while some of their own recover from COVID-19. As of Friday, VMI was reporting 42 active COVID-19 cases, with almost 200 cadets in quarantine. School leaders said the uptick is mostly due to the close quarters of the barracks. School leaders are still discussing whether cadets can go home for the Thanksgiving holiday. They’re expected to make a decision in the next few weeks.

LEXINGTON, Va – One of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s most notable cases was her majority opinion allowing women to attend Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in the 1990′s. VMI Cadet Anna Armfield spent the weekend reflecting on the death of Ginsburg. Ginsburg authored the majority opinion in United States v. Virginia, the landmark 1996 Supreme Court case which opened VMI to women. While there was no mention of President Trump’s choice to replace Scalia, Ginsburg recalled Scalia’s lone dissent in the VMI case. Others inspired by Ginsburg’s work include Virginia Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy, one of the first black female cadets to attend VMI.

LEXINGTON, Va. – Vice President Mike Pence addressed cadets at Virginia Military Institute on Thursday about the state of the nation’s military and gave them advice on what it means to lead and serve. “Now more than ever, America needs leaders like VMI to lead our nation forward," said Pence. Pence emphasized that both he and President Donald Trump have the utmost respect for the men and women who serve in the military. “I couldn’t be more proud to be vice president of a president that cares so deeply about the men and women of our armed forces.” said Pence. Ahead of the 19th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the vice president also took the time to pay tribute to all VMI graduates and armed forces who have served and those who died for the country.

LEXINGTON, Va. – Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Virginia next week to deliver remarks to cadets at VMI. VMI, located in Lexington, is the oldest state-supported military college in the U.S. The school said in a news release that Pence would be joined by Secretary of the Army Ryan McCarthy, who graduated from VMI in 1996. “VMI is fortunate to be able to attract such prominent speakers to provide our Corps of Cadets an opportunity to learn from their leadership,” VMI Superintendent Gen. J. H. Binford Peay said in a statement. “Both Vice President Pence and, VMI’s own, Secretary McCarthy have many experiences upon which to draw in imparting their wisdom and contributing to our mission of forming citizen soldiers.”The event is closed to the public, VMI said.

LEXINGTON, Va – Virginia Military Institute is changing its operations for the upcoming school year as cadets begin to return to post. Several changes have been put into place when it comes to training new students. The university has no active coronavirus cases as of Friday, but as the rest of the military institute returns next week, staff are closely screening them for COVID-19. Cadets are not allowed to leave post at VMI once they arrive to help isolate any potential spread from the community. VMI will reconsider that restriction in September.

LEXINGTON, Va. – Want to stay at a world-class hotel? According to Travel and Leisure magazine, you won’t have to go far to get the VIP treatment. 53 and was joined by hotels that spanned six continents, from an Indian palace to a high-rise in London. The local boutique hotel takes up three separate buildings in downtown Lexington and includes a piano bar, restaurants and 18 guest rooms. Its name was inspired by Virginia Military Institute, former secretary of state George Marshall’s alma mater, and Washington and Lee, which is partially named after George Washington.

LEXINGTON, Va. Statues and buildings scatter the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), commemorating those who fought for the south during the Civil War. However, institute leaders plan to take action to address and fight racism. VMI Director of Communications and Marketing, Col. Bill Wyatt, said the military college cant erase its past and doesnt want to. VMI does not define itself by our statues or by any of the things that we have on Post. We want to be able to recruit faculty, qualified faculty and diversify the faculty, as well.In a letter, VMI Superintendent Ret.

LEXINGTON, Va. – The question of whether Confederate monuments should stay or go is on the mind of leaders and the communities across Southwest Virginia. Robert E. Lee is buried in Lexington under Lee Chapel on Washington and Lee’s campus. Stonewall Jackson is also buried in Lexington, at the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery. “This is not something that invites Unity, invites participation, invites equality. Like, ‘Why is the Stonewall Jackson cemetery called the Stonewall Jackson cemetery?’ It originated with the Lexington Presbyterian Church and they essentially gave it to the city," explained Freidman.

LEXINGTON, Va. – A former Virginia Military Institute (VMI) student is suing the school, alleging he was waterboarded, physically assaulted and sexually harassed when he was forced to wrestle another student while partially clothed. The lawsuit says the 2018 incident prompted the student to withdraw from the school and seek a college education elsewhere. The former first-year cadet filed the lawsuit against VMI, two school officials and five other former upper-class cadets. In the lawsuit, the cadet is only referred to as John Doe. VMI spokesman, Col. Stewart MacInnis, confirmed that he is aware of a hazing incident from 2018, but couldn’t go into specifics.